Karl Ludwig can be safely called a significant figure in medical science. On account of the German scientist, a lot of research and discoveries in the field of physiology of urination, blood circulation and the cardiovascular system of animals and humans.
Biography: early years
Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig (Carl Friedrich Wilhelm Ludwig) was born on December 29, 1816 in the small town of Witzenhausen, in the central part of Germany. From childhood, he began to show interest in natural sciences. After successfully graduating from high school, he continued his studies in the city of Marburg, where he became a student at the medical faculty. Two years later, Karl transferred to the University of Erlangen. And two years later he returned to Marburg and soon became a doctor of medicine.
After receiving his scientific degree, Karl Ludwig continued his research activities within the walls of the alma mater. At the university, he spent the lion's share of the time. We can safely say that he became his second home. For the next ten years, Karl literally spent the day and slept within its walls.
In 1841 he became the second dissector of the Anatomical Institute, which was located at the University of Marburg. His duties included assisting the professor of anatomy with autopsies. He came to this place on the recommendation of Franz Fick, who by that time was already a famous German anatomist. Fick soon took over at the helm of the University of Marburg and made Karl Ludwig the first dissector. This allowed the young scientist to independently set priorities in his scientific activities. And along with anatomy, Karl Ludwig began to conduct research in the field of physiology. He was able to make several discoveries in this direction. So, in 1842, a scientist wrote and defended a dissertation on the physical forces that affect urine flow.
In the same year he was approved as an assistant professor of physiology. It took Karl Ludwig four years to become an extraordinary professor of comparative anatomy.
In 1847 he taught at the University of Berlin. In 1849, Karl Ludwig moved to Zurich, where he began his research activities at a local university, already as a professor of anatomy and physiology. However, life in this Austrian city did not appeal to the scientist.
Six years later, he was invited to teach at the small Military Medical and Surgical Academy in Vienna. Karl Ludwig accepted the invitation without hesitation. He worked in Vienna for 10 years, after which he moved to Leipzig. Within the walls of the main university in Germany at that time, Karl Ludwig continued his scientific activities. It was not by chance that he moved to Leipzig. He was chosen as the successor to the famous German anatomist and physiologist Ernst-Heinrich Weber, who by that time could no longer fully engage in science. At Leipzig University, Karl Ludwig was already engaged in only his favorite physiology. He dedicated an entire department to her. He worked on it until the end of his days.
However, one department was not enough for Karl Ludwig, since he plunged headlong into science and conducted fairly large-scale research. Thanks to him, the Institute of Physiology appeared at the University of Leipzig. Karl Ludwig headed it for 30 years. The Institute had no equal in Europe. He became the largest in his profile, "Mecca" for physiologists of all countries.
The building had a well thought-out architecture. If you look at it from above, you can clearly see the shape in the form of the letter "E". The main one was the physiological department, and the “lateral” ones were the chemical, histological and laboratory ones. The institute also had a spacious lecture hall, an operating room, a sterilization room, and a vivarium. On the topmost floor were the staff rooms. Within its walls were trained such Russian scientists as military surgeon Nikolai Pirogov, physiologists Ivan Sechenov and Ivan Pavlov. The latter were students of Karl Ludwig himself.
Contribution to science
Karl Ludwig has been engaged in science for over half a century. In his research, he was precise and meticulous. At the same time, he categorically did not allow aimless torment of experimental animals. For more than two decades, he led the Leipzig Animal Welfare Society.
He was interested in all areas of physiology. However, he focused on blood circulation, digestion, respiration and urination.
Since 1846, Karl Ludwig developed the kymograph, a device for measuring blood pressure. It was essentially an advanced mercury pressure gauge. The kymograph graphically recorded and recorded the pressure results under different conditions. With his help, he recorded the blood pressure curve for the first time in the world. This invention in the development of physiology is compared with the appearance of printing for the progress of civilization.
On account of Karl Ludwig, the invention of another important physiological device for that time. He designed the so-called Ludwig clock. This device made it possible to measure the blood circulation rate.
Karl Ludwig made many discoveries. So, he explained the key processes in the metabolism of respiratory gases, studied the formation and movement of lymph, opened the medullary vasomotor center, proved the presence of specific secretory nerves in the salivary glands and their influence on the process of saliva separation.
Personal life
Little is known about Karl Ludwig's personal life. The scientist was married. His wife and two children invariably followed him when he changed jobs. So, the family followed him to Zurich, and then to Vienna and Leipzig.
Karl Ludwig passed away on April 23, 1895. He died in Leipzig and was buried there.
